CN102376331A

CN102376331A - Disk library apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN102376331A
Application number: CN2011102342546A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佐藤延明
Original assignee: Hitachi LG Data Storage Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi LG Data Storage Inc
Priority date: 2010-08-10
Filing date: 2011-08-10
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-10
Also published as: US20120039001A1; US8559130B2; JP2012038392A; CN102376331B

Abstract

A disk library apparatus includes a magazine for housing a plurality of storage disks, a plurality of pallets each having a disk placing surface for placing a storage disk and which are arranged in the magazine so that pallets having different engaging claw shapes are adjacent to each other, and a picker for taking out a pallet selected from the plurality of pallets from the magazine. The picker includes at least one arm for taking out the selected pallet from the magazine in the taking-out of the selected pallet. Each of the at least one arm is, in the taking-out of the selected pallet, engaged with an engaging claw of the selected pallet and in a position shifted from an engaging position with an engaging claw of each pallet adjacent to the selected pallet when seen in a pallet arranging direction.

Description

Disc storehouse device

Technical field

The present invention relates to store disc storehouse (disk library) device of data, particularly take out the structure of disc in the device of disc storehouse from cassette.

Background technology

As the medium of storage data, known have several data memory discs such as CD, disk and magneto-optic disk.Wherein, CD is widely used as removable medium.As the disc types of storage data, known have CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and a BD (Blu-ray Disc) etc.

In industries such as financial industry, broadcasting industry and medical industry, the demand of long preservation mass data is arranged.The data storage device of this purposes preferably uses at the CD that has high reliability aspect the long preservation of data.Though the memory capacity of CD is along with technical progress has obtained increase, the open ended data of CD are still limited.

As the mass storage device that is fit to the data long preservation, known have CD server (optical disc library) to install.The CD server device can be accommodated many CDs, carries out each optical disc data through mounted CD drive and writes/read.

The CD server device has the cassette of accommodating many CDs, and it can accommodate several more than the installation quantity of CD drive.The CD server device can be visited all CDs of being accommodated through conveyance CD between cassette and CD drive.

The CD server matching requirements is accommodated more CD in its housing.And this shell dimension is preferably less.Therefore, hope that the cassette be installed in the CD server device can accommodate more CD in limited size.

In cassette, CD is carried to be put on pallet (pan arrest).The CD server device is when the conveyance CD, and the pallet of having put CD is carried in conveyance between cassette and optical disc apparatus.Count (in order to reduce the receiving space of CD) in order to increase accommodating of CD, preferably make the interval between pallet thinner thickness, pallet less.

Yet if pallet is less at interval, the correct taking-up of taking out the target pallet becomes difficult.Therefore, in patent documentation 1, in the disclosed CD server device, contain 2 kinds of pallets that have handle at diverse location, both alternately are arranged in the cassette.When unloading device was observed pallet, a kind of handle was in central authorities' side that takes over, and alternative handle is in central authorities' side of taking back.The CD server device has 2 kinds of taking-up bars of corresponding 2 kinds of handles, takes out pallet through hooking its corresponding handle.

Patent documentation 1: TOHKEMY 2002-133814 communique

Summary of the invention

In above-mentioned patent documentation 1 disclosed CD server device, in the orientation of pallet (below deserve to be called lower direction), the handle adjacent with a grip is not the handle of adjacent pallet, but the handle of next adjacent pallet.Therefore, the handle on the above-below direction obtains enlarging at interval.Therefore, the allowance on enough sizes can be given, the reliability that hooks together action can be improved shape, the structure of taking out bar.

Yet above-mentioned CD server device utilizes special-purpose taking-up pike pole to live the handle of diverse location respectively.When a taking-up pike pole was lived corresponding handle, another took out bar and on the position that has another handle on the same pallet, moves virtually.Because there is not handle in this position usually,, another does so taking out the bar air transport.

Only hook a kind of handle owing to take out bar, another takes out the taking-up not contribution of pole pair in pallet.In addition, if the position deviation of a taking-up bar on above-below direction the target handle, then another takes out the handle that bar can touch adjacent pallet.Like this, in said structure, two taking-up bars of the position that on above-below direction, departs from objectives can also take out adjacent pallet with taking-up target pallet in the lump.

Therefore, in the CD server device, expectation realizes from cassette, only taking out more accurately the simpler structure of target pallet.

Disc storehouse device as a representational example of the present invention comprises: carry out the one or more disk drives to the visit of memory disc; Accommodate the cassette of a plurality of memory discs that are inserted into above-mentioned one or more disk drives; Have separately and carry a plurality of pallets (palette) that the dish of putting memory disc carries the face of putting, it is arranged in the above-mentioned cassette with the mode that the pallet with different engaging claw shape adjoins each other; With the sorter (picker) that takes out the pallet of from above-mentioned a plurality of pallets, selecting from above-mentioned cassette; Wherein, Above-mentioned sorter; Have when the taking-up of the pallet that carries out above-mentioned selection, take out one or more arms of the pallet of above-mentioned selection from above-mentioned cassette, above-mentioned one or more arms; When the taking-up of the pallet that carries out above-mentioned selection, be in separately with the pallet of above-mentioned selection engage the pawl engaging and on the tray arrangement direction from the position of the position deviation that engages the pawl engaging of the adjacent pallet of the pallet of above-mentioned selection.

Through embodiment of the present invention, in the device of disc storehouse, can from cassette, take out pallet more accurately.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the integrally-built block diagram that schematically shows an embodiment of the invention mid-game valut.

Fig. 2 is the stereographic map that schematically shows the structure of cassette in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 A is the vertical view that schematically shows the structure of the pallet that has the 1st engaging claw shape in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 B is the vertical view that schematically shows the structure of the pallet that has the 2nd engaging claw shape in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows the figure that is housed in the pallet in the cassette in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is the structure that schematically shows sorter in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is the figure that schematically shows in an embodiment of the invention the action of arm when cassette takes out pallet.

Fig. 7 A is the figure that schematically shows the arm of the pallet of extracting a kind of shape in an embodiment of the invention out.

Fig. 7 B is the figure that schematically shows the arm of the pallet of extracting another kind of shape in an embodiment of the invention out.

Fig. 8 A is the figure that is used for explaining the shape of an embodiment of the invention arm.

Fig. 8 B is the figure of engaging claw shape that is used for representing the pallet of an embodiment of the invention the 1st kind.

Fig. 8 C is the figure of engaging claw shape that is used for representing the pallet of an embodiment of the invention the 2nd kind.

Fig. 9 A schematically shows in an embodiment of the invention the size of arm head when the tray arrangement direction is observed and the size of pallet engaging pawl.

Fig. 9 B schematically shows in an embodiment of the invention the size of arm head when the pallet direction of insertion is observed and the size of pallet engaging pawl.

Figure 10 is shown schematically in to utilize an arm to take out the figure of the structure of pallet in the another kind of embodiment.

Figure 11 is shown schematically in to utilize an arm to take out the figure of the another kind of structure of pallet in the another kind of embodiment.

Figure 12 is shown schematically in the another kind of embodiment to have the pallet of engaging pawl and the figure of the arm of extracting this pallet out in the side.

Figure 13 is shown schematically in the another kind of embodiment through rotating the figure of the arm that moves arm head.

Figure 14 is the synoptic diagram that is shown schematically in the another kind of embodiment by the arm head of spring energized and rotation.

Figure 15 is the vertical view that the two sides all has the pallet of the engaging pawl that engages with arm before and after being shown schematically in the another kind of embodiment.

Description of reference numerals:

1 CD server device, 10 housings, 11 controllers, 12 cassettes, 13 eject drawer, 14a, 14b CD drive; 16 sorters, 17 lifting shafts, 18 cramp bars, 31,32 pallets, 81,82 arm axles, 83,84 arm heads; 121 openings, 122,123 guide rails, 161 sorter controllers, 162 arm components, 163 base plates; 164 shifting axles, 165 motors, 311,321 CDs carry the face of putting, 314,315,324,325 pallets engaging pawl, 317,318,327,328 snap-latch surfaces; 621 arm driving mechanisms, 622 arm support plates, 623,624 arms, 831,832,841,842 arms engaging pawl, 833,834,843,844 snap-latch surfaces

Embodiment

Embodiment of the present invention is described below.In order to make explanation more clear and definite, suitably omit in following record and the accompanying drawing and simplify.And in each figure, same key element is attached with prosign, and is clear and definite for what explain, omits repeat specification as required.

The disc storehouse device of this embodiment has characteristic in the structure that is used for from cassette taking-up pallet.The sorter that the device utilization of disc storehouse has arm takes out pallet from cassette.Sorter fastens the engaging pawl of arm with the pawl that engages of pallet, take out pallet from cassette.

The disc storehouse device of this embodiment has 2 kinds of pallets at least.Arm all will use in the taking-up of any pallet.Different types of pallet in the time of in being configured in cassette, has the engaging pawl that takes out usefulness on diverse location.Adjacent pallet has different shapes in the cassette, and when the tray arrangement direction is observed, their engaging pawl is positioned at different positions.When arm took out pallet, when the tray arrangement direction was observed, the engaging pawl of arm was positioned at and the engaging on the position that pawl do not engage of adjacent pallet.Therefore, when carrying out the taking-up of pallet, can reduce the possibility that arm takes out the pallet different with the target pallet.

Fig. 1 is the integrally-built figure that schematically shows the CD server device in this embodiment.CD server device 1 has controller 11, cassette 12, ejection drawer (mailslot) 13 and

CD drive

14a, 14b in housing 10.And sorter 16 is installed in housing 10.In Fig. 1, sorter 16 is by 17 supportings of lifting shaft, moves up at upper and lower along lifting shaft 17.

Cassette 12 can be accommodated a plurality of CDs.Cassette 12 has the opening 121 towards sorter 16.Cassette 12 can be accommodated a plurality of pallets, uploads at each pallet and puts CD.Structure to the cassette 12 and the pallet of wherein accommodating is explained in the back.

The user can take out cassette 12 from housing 10 through being located at the opening (not shown) on the housing 10, perhaps cassette 12 is installed in the housing 10.The user can change the CD that is housed in the cassette 12 with this cassette 12, perhaps only change CD.Cassette 12 also can be fixed in the housing 10.

Eject drawer 13 and be and be used in the disc storehouse that device 1 inserts CD or from wherein taking out the mouth of CD.Usually, the pan arrest (tray) that ejects drawer 13 is operated and switch according to the user.The user takes the CD on the pan arrest that stretches out from housing 10 away, perhaps places CD above that.Carry the pan arrest of putting CD and enter into housing 10, sorter 16 is configured in this CD in the cassette 12.

Sorter 16 is the conveyance CD in housing 10.When carrying out the conveyance of CD, CD is configured on the pallet.Sorter 16 is supporting and is carrying the pallet of having put CD or do not carry the pallet of putting CD, carries out conveyance.In this structure example, CD is not fixed on the pallet carrying when putting on the pallet.Sorter 16 also can have CD is remained on the mechanism on the pallet.

Sorter 16 is between cassette 12 and

CD drive

14a, 14b, and cassette 12 and eject conveyance pallet (CD) between the drawer 13.In addition, also ejecting between drawer 13 and CD drive 14a, the 14b, and conveyance pallet (CD) between the

CD drive

14a, 14b.

Conveyance CD and pallet depend on the design of CD server device 1 between which equipment.Eject drawer 13 or

CD drive

14a, 14b can adopt insert pallet and on CD, perhaps only insert the structure of CD.

Controller 11 is controlled the action of CD server devices 1, and works as the interface between external host and the CD server device 1.Controller 11 will supply to from the electric power that external power source provides sorter 16 and the miscellaneous equipments such as

CD drive

14a, 14b.

Controller 11 receives order from main frame, according to this order control miscellaneous equipment.For example when the visit order that receives CD from main frame (visit is the upperseat concept that writes and read); Use sorter 16 will order specified CD from cassette 12, to take out, this CD is inserted among one of them (for example CD drive 14a) of

CD drive

14a, 14b.

Controller 11 further sends order to the CD drive 14a that selects, and indication is carried out data in the address of appointment and write or read.The user data that CD drive 14a receives slave controller 11 is written to the assigned address of CD, perhaps reads user data and is sent to the controller 11 from assigned address.

Sorter 16 has sorter controller 161.Sorter controller 161 is according to the action of the indication control sorter 16 that comes self-controller 11.Under the control of sorter controller 161, sorter 16 is along moving up at upper and lower as the lifting shaft of screw rod 17, and arm component 162 moves along the shifting axle 164 as screw rod in addition.

Fig. 2 is the stereographic map that schematically shows the structure of cassette 12.(front surface) has opening 121 to cassette 12 in its front.Arm component 162 takes out pallet (CD) through this opening 121 or pallet (CD) is inserted in the cassette 12 from cassette 12.Cassette 12 has a plurality of guide rails in receiving space.Cassette 12 is typically formed by resin.

Fig. 2 is exemplarily with 2 guide rails of symbol 122,123 expressions.(opening 121) observed from the cassette front, and guide rail 122 is formed on left medial surface, and guide rail 123 is formed on the Right Inboard face.Guide rail 122,123 constitutes in pairs, and tray arrangement is constituting on 2 a pair of guide rails.Paired guide rail has identical shaped, and the face of loading tray is parallel on the sustained height position.Guide rail 122,123 extends from opening 121 inwards.

Left side medial surface has been arranged a plurality of guide rails that comprise guide rail 122 on above-below direction.Typically, they have identical shaped, therebetween at a distance from also identical.Likewise, the Right Inboard face has been arranged a plurality of guide rails that comprise guide rail 123 on above-below direction.They have identical shaped, therebetween at a distance from also identical.

Paired guide rail has the relation identical with guide rail 122,123.Cassette 12 structures shown in the figure are an example, can use the cassette 12 with other shape.For example, the pallet of guide rail carries the face of putting and can tilt in a certain direction, also can the guide rail of both sides connected and forms a frame plate (shelfboard).

Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B are the vertical views of structure that schematically shows the

pallet

31,32 of this embodiment.Pallet 31,32 has different shapes.The CD server device 1 of this embodiment uses has difform 2 kinds of pallets.Pallet 31,32 is laminal parts.Pallet 31,32 is typically formed by resin.

The CD that CD is placed on

pallet

31,32 carries on the face of putting 311,321.CD is positioned over CD and carries in the face of putting 311,321 position that circle surrounded by dotted line.In Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, direction from the top down is the direction that

pallet

31,32 takes out from cassette 12.Its reverse direction is the direction that is inserted in the cassette 12.Hole the 316, the 326th is used for CD server device 1 and checks the hole that has or not CD on the

pallet

31,32.

Get back to Fig. 2, in cassette 12, the CD of

pallet

31,32 carries the face of putting 311,321 up.The opposing face that CD carries the face of putting 311,321 contacts (rail pair) with guide rail.In Fig. 2,

pallet

31,32 is arranged on above-below direction in cassette 12.

In this structure example,

pallet

31,32 when taking-up/insertion guide rail on slide.Its taking-up/direction of insertion is vertical with the tray arrangement direction, is the direction along guide rail.According to the CD server Design of device, the angle between taking-up/direction of insertion and the tray arrangement direction also can have and the above-mentioned relation different relationships.In this embodiment, the tray arrangement direction is called above-below direction, and pallet insertion/removing direction is called fore-and-aft direction, and CD carries the face of putting 311, the 321 interior directions vertical with fore-and-aft direction and is called left and right directions.

As stated, the CD server device 1 of this embodiment is taking out pallet 31, is having characteristic aspect 32 from cassette 12.Specify from the structure that cassette 12 takes out

pallet

31,32 being used for below.Insert pallet the 31, the 32nd to cassette 12, the action opposite with taking-up.

Shown in Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B,

pallet

31,32 has different shapes in their front.In this embodiment, will it seems that being positioned at positive face is called the front from sorter 16.Sorter 16 fastens with the pawl that engages of the front that is formed on

pallet

31,32,

extracts pallet

31,32 receiving space in cassette 12 out.Pallet 31, between 32, the shape except the shape of front is identical.

Pallet 31 shown in Fig. 3 A has 2 engaging pawls 314,315.Engaging pawl 314,315 is arranged on the direction of carrying the face of putting 311 along its front and CD in the front of pallet 31.In this structure example and since the tray arrangement direction in the cassette 12 with carry that to put face 311 vertical, arrange on left and right directions so engage pawl 314,315.Engaging pawl 314,315 projects upwards at right and left.They are outstanding round about on left and right directions.Engaging pawl 314,315 is formed near the central authorities of pallet 31 fronts.

Pallet 32 shown in Fig. 3 B has 2 engaging pawls 324,325.Engaging pawl 324,325 is arranged on the direction of carrying the face of putting 311 along its front and CD in the front of pallet 32.In this structure example, engaging pawl 324,325 is arranged on left and right directions.Engaging pawl 324,325 projects upwards at right and left.Their projected direction also is relative.The engaging pawl 324,325 be formed on pallet 32 fronts about the end near.

Sorter 16 engages pawl 314,315 engaging with above-mentioned, and pallet 31 is extracted out from cassette 12.Likewise, sorter 16 with engage pawl 324,325 engaging, pallet 32 is extracted out from cassette 12.

Fig. 4 is the figure that schematically shows the pallet of accommodating in the cassette 12, is the figure that observes the cassette front from sorter 16.In the example of Fig. 4, cassette 12 can be accommodated 8 pallets, has accommodated pallet 31a～31d, 32a～32d in all receiving spaces respectively.

Pallet 31a～31d has same shape, has the 1st kind of engaging claw shape shown in Fig. 3 A.Pallet 32a～32d has same shape, has the 2nd kind of engaging claw shape shown in Fig. 3 B.In this embodiment, difform pallet is alternately arranged.For example in Fig. 4, pallet 31a is clipped between the adjacent pallet 32b of adjacent pallet 32a and downside of upside.At this, even the profile of the engaging claw portion of 2 pallets is the same, be formed under the situation of diverse location at their engaging claw portion, the engaging claw shape of 2 pallets also is different.

As shown in Figure 4, when tray arrangement direction (above-below direction among Fig. 4) was observed, the engaging pawl of pallet did not overlap with the pawl that engages of adjacent pallet, but separates.Adjacent engaging pawl on the tray arrangement direction of the engaging pawl of a pallet is the engaging pawl across the identical shaped pallet of a pallet.

Fig. 4 is exemplarily with engaging pawl 314a, the 315a of symbolic representation pallet 31a, engaging pawl 324b, the 352b of engaging

pawl

324a, 325a and the pallet 32b of pallet 32a.When the tray arrangement direction is observed, the engaging pawl 314a of

pallet

31a, 315a between the engaging pawl 324a of an

adjacent pallet

32a, 325a, and, between the engaging pawl 324b of another

adjacent pallet

32b, 325b.

The pawl that engages of any of the engaging pawl 314a of

pallet

31a, 315a and

adjacent pallet

32a, 32b does not overlap, but separates with them.In addition, on the tray arrangement direction, the engaging pawl 324a of pallet 32a, the adjacent engaging pawl of 325a (not being pallet) are engaging pawl 324b, the 325b of pallet 32b.

Usually, in cassette 12, accommodate the receiving space of a pallet, have well-to-do with respect to the pallet size.Therefore, the position of the pallet in receiving space and on-fixed, but, all satisfy above-mentioned relation no matter which position the pallet in the cassette 12 is housed in.

The structure of sorters 16 is described with reference to figure 5 below.Fig. 5 is the figure that schematically shows the structure example of sorter 16, observes the figure of sorter 16 for (from upside or downside) along the vertical direction.The arm driving mechanism 621 that the arm component 162 of sorter 16 has 2 arms 623,624 and arm 623,624 is moved.Arm driving mechanism 621 is transfer arm 623,624 on the direction of carrying the face of putting along pallet front and CD.In this structure example, with the perpendicular direction of tray arrangement direction on move them.

Arm driving mechanism 621 is to arm 623,624 is moved in the other direction.That is, arm 623,624 in face towards each other away from or each other near direction move abreast.Arm driving mechanism 621 is made up of parts such as motor, gear, tooth bars.In this embodiment, arm driving mechanism 621 can have structure arbitrarily, preferred simple and small-sized structure.

Arm 623,624 and arm driving mechanism 621 are configured on the arm support plate 622.Arm support plate 622 as the inscape of arm component 162 can move up in front and back along 164.Shifting axle 164 is a screw rod, utilizes motor 165 to make shifting axle 164 rotations, and arm support plate 622 (arm component 162) is moved.The driving mechanism of arm support plate 622 can be arbitrary structures.

The critical piece of sorter 16 is fixed on the base plate 163.Base plate 163 can move up at upper and lower along lifting shaft 17.Cramp bar 18 is with lifting shaft 17 bearing plates 163.As stated, under the control of controller 11, the action of sorter controller 161 (with reference to figure 1) control sorter 16.

When carrying out the taking-up of

pallet

31,32, arm 623,624 engages with the pawl that engages of

pallet

31,32, from cassette 12, takes out pallet 31,32.Fig. 6 is the figure that schematically shows the action of arm 623,624 when from cassette 12, taking out pallet 31.The taking-up of arm 623,624 action with from the figure of the top of Fig. 6 to the sequence consensus of the figure of below.

Shown in the figure of the top of Fig. 6, sorter 16 moves up at upper and lower, with respect to target pallet 31 registration arm 623,624.Arm 623,624 is positioned on the position relative with the front of pallet 31.Controller 11 or sorter controller 161 can be positioned at sorter 16 on the predefined position, also can use the telltale mark on cassette 12 or the pallet 31 to position.This point also is same for other action in the arm action control.

Arm 623, the interval between 624 engage the interval, two ends of pawl 314,315 greater than pallet.Arm 623, the interval between 624 were adjusted before or after the location on the above-below direction that carries out arm 623,624.

Arm 623,624 moves (moving to the pallet direction of insertion) to pallet 31.The action of the arm 623,624 that the arm driving mechanism 621 behind the location is carried out is parallel the moving in the face.Arm 623, the interval between 624 also can be adjusted during moving to pallet 31.

Shown in the 2nd figure of Fig. 6, arm 623,624 towards pallet 31 advance the regulation distance after, arm 623,624 stops.Controller 11 makes arm 623,624 move up at right and left and makes reduced distances between them then.Typically, sorter controller 161 makes arm 623,624 move the distance of predefined regulation.

Shown in the 3rd figure of Fig. 6, arm 623,624 stops after right and left moves up predetermined distance, moves to the direction (pallet removing direction) away from pallet 31.Like Fig. 6 shown in the figure of below, in the moving of pallet removing direction, arm 623,624 contact pallets engaging pawls 314,315.Arm 623,624 is parallel mobile to the pallet removing direction further, and the pallet 31 that engages with them is taken out from the receiving space of cassette 12 by arm 623,624.

The pallet of from cassette 12, being extracted out by arm 623,624 placed on the base plate 163 (with reference to figure 5) of sorter 16 in 31 years, and conveyance is to CD drive 14a, 14b or eject in the parts such as drawer 13 then.

Arm action when Fig. 6 has represented pallet 31 taking-ups, the arm action when pallet 32 takes out is also roughly the same.When pallet 32 took out, the arm of action that is equivalent to the 2nd and the 3rd figure of Fig. 6 moved, in the opposite direction in moving direction on left and right directions and the pallet 31.

Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B schematically show the arm 623,624 of extracting pallet 31 out and the arm 623,624 of extracting pallet 32 out respectively.In Fig. 7 A, arm 623,624 engages pawl 314,315 engagings respectively with pallet.In addition, in Fig. 7 B, arm 623,624 engages pawl 324,325 with pallet and engages.Except pallet 31, also dotted the engaging pawl of pallet 32 among Fig. 7 A.Except pallet 32, also dotted the engaging pawl of pallet 31 among Fig. 7 B.

Pallet

31,32 when Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B represent the tray arrangement direction observation in cassette 12.Of Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, in cassette 12, the pallet (for example pallet 31) of arm 623,624 and a kind of shape even at tray arrangement direction upper arm 623,624 deviation is arranged, can not engage with the pallet (for example pallet 32) of another kind of shape when engaging yet.

Like this, when the tray arrangement direction is observed, when arm 623,624 be positioned at a kind of pallet of shape engage the position of pawl engaging the time, its position is different from the position that engages the pawl engaging with the pallet of another kind of shape.In this embodiment, the position that engages the pawl engaging of the pallet in arm 623,624 and the cassette 12 is called clamped position.In the time of on the optional position of arm 623,624 in having the zone of specialized range, promptly engage with the pawl that engages of pallet 31,32.Clamped position is the interior optional position, zone that has given size on above-below direction and the left and right directions.

As described with reference to figure 6, arm 623,624 is after being positioned to take out the target pallet on the tray arrangement direction, through in the face of location, moving, with extracting out the receiving space of target pallet in cassette 12.Shown in Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, when the tray arrangement direction was observed, in this a series of action, arm 623,624 was positioned at and has the outside that engages the clamped position of pawl with the difform pallet of target pallet.Therefore, when carrying out the taking-up of pallet,, also can avoid arm 623,624 to take out the pallet of different engaging claw shape effectively even arm 623,624 departs from the tray arrangement direction.

Further, as described with reference to figure 4, in cassette 12, difform pallet is alternately arranged.Interval between engaging pawl adjacent on the tray arrangement direction has structure big of engaging pawl at same position than adjacent trays.As stated, when arm 623,624 takes out a kind of pallet (for example pallet 31) of shape, arm 623,624 not with the pallet (for example pallet 32) of another kind of shape engage the pawl engaging.Because the pallet adjacent with pallet has different engaging claw shape, the possibility that has reduced when pallet takes out, to take out by error the pallet of same shape greatly.

With reference to figure 8A～Fig. 8 C, at length describe to the shape of arm 623,624 and the shape of engaging pawl 314,315,324,325.As described with reference to figure 6, Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, arm 623,624 all engages with its target pallet when pallet taking-up arbitrarily, and this pallet is extracted out from cassette 12., pallet do not have idle arm when taking out.Therefore the structure of arm component 162 is more simple.

Shown in Fig. 8 A, arm 623,624 has arm axle (arm shaft) 81,82 and arm head (arm head) 83,84 respectively.The front end of

arm axle

81,82 has been fixed arm head 83,84.

Arm head

83,84 as the leading section of arm has two engaging pawls respectively.Particularly, arm head 83 respectively about have the engaging pawl 831,832.And arm head 84 has engaging pawl 841,842 in the left and right sides.Material as arm 623,624 component parts can use any material.Typically use metals such as stainless steel or aluminium, perhaps resin material.Arm head and arm axle also can utilize same material to form as one.

Arm head

83,84 uses different engaging pawls when pallet 31 takes out with pallet 32 taking-ups.Particularly, shown in Fig. 8 B,

arm head

83,84 uses arm engaging pawl 832,841 respectively when pallet 31 takes out.Shown in Fig. 8 C,

arm head

83,84 uses arm engaging pawl 831,842 respectively when pallet 32 takes out on the other hand.Like this,

arm head

83,84 about the engaging pawl is all arranged, through they being used for different types of pallet, can reduce the moving range of arm 623,624.

Shown in Fig. 8 B, when arm engaging pawl 832,841 and 314,315 engagings of pallet engaging pawl, snap-latch surface 317,318 butts of the snap-latch surface 834,843 of arm and pallet.In addition, shown in Fig. 8 C, when arm engaging pawl 831,842 and 324,325 engagings of pallet engaging pawl, snap-latch surface 327,328 butts of the snap-latch surface 833,844 of arm and pallet.Like this, when arm engaged with pallet, their contact can be the face contact, also can be a contact.

Above-mentioned arm shape and above-mentioned pallet engaging claw shape have been represented the preferred example of they shapes, but arm also can have different therewith shapes with pallet.For example, the front end of arm head also can be a curved surface, and in addition, end can be plane or curved surface about arm engaging pawl.Arm head engages pawl with pallet contact site also can be curved surface.About arm engaging pawl can have difformity, the thickness of arm head can not fixed yet.About pallet engaging pawl can have difformity, the bight of pallet engaging pawl the or engage face that pawl engages with arm and also can be curved surface.

With reference to figure 9A and Fig. 9 B the preferred size relation of arm 623,624 and

pallet

31,32 is described.Fig. 9 A schematically shows the width of

arm head

83,84 when the tray arrangement direction is observed, pallet engaging pawl 314, the interval between 324 and pallet engaging pawl 315, the interval between 325.In this structure example,

arm head

83,84 has identical width L1.Width L1 is the size of

arm head

83,84 maximum on left and right directions.Interval between above-mentioned 2 pallets engaging pawl has identical value L2.

Fig. 9 B representes the size of

arm head

83,84 and

pallet

31,32 when the pallet direction of insertion is observed.In this structure example,

arm head

83,84 has same thickness (size on the tray arrangement direction), and it is expressed as T1.In addition, pallet engaging pawl 314,324,315,325 (pallet 31,32) has same thickness T2 jointly.In addition, typically,

pallet

31,32 is put CD in order to carry, and becomes thinner in the main body centre.In cassette 12, represent the distance (arrangement pitches) between the adjacent trays in the orientation of

pallet

31,32 with P.

In preferred construction, arm head thickness T 1 is on the pallet engaging pawl thickness T 2.Thus, when pallet takes out, can make the location allowance of the arm 623,624 on the tray arrangement direction bigger.In order to make

arm head

83,84 when taking out the target pallet, suitably reduce with the possibility that engages the pawl engaging of other pallet, arm head thickness T 2 is preferably below 2P, more preferably below (2P-T2).

In preferred construction, the interval L2 between the pallet engaging pawl is bigger than arm head width L1.Thus, when pallet takes out, can be on the pallet direction of insertion linearity ground transfer arm 623,624, can make arm 623,624 actions become simple.In addition, because

arm head

83,84 does not contact with the engaging pawl of adjacent trays, can increase the thickness T 1 of arm head.

In the unfixed structure in interval between pallet engaging pawl, its minimum value is interval L2.About pallet engaging pawl value at interval can be inequality.The width of

arm head

83,84 can be inequality.Pallet engaging pawl satisfies above-mentioned relation at interval with between the width of corresponding arm head.

In the said structure example, the thickness of pallet front is all identical with the engaging pawl for main part.Pallet engaging pawl 314,324,315,325 can have the thickness different with main part.Relation apart from P between above-mentioned thickness T 1, T2 and pallet is applicable to pallet engaging pawl 314,324,315,325 and arm head 83,84.More specifically, be applicable to that pallet engaging pawl engages each snap-latch surface 833,834,843,844,317,318,327,328 of pawl (with reference to the thickness of figure 8A～8C) with arm.The maximal value of the thickness of arm head is preferably at 2P perhaps below (2P-T2).

In above-mentioned preferred construction, sorter 16 uses 2 arms 623,624 to extract

pallet

31,32 out.Therefore, compare, can realize more stable extraction with the structure of only using 1 arm to extract pallet out.Further, in above-mentioned preferred construction, the engaging claw shape left-right symmetric of pallet 31,32.That is, the center with respect to the left and right directions of

pallet

31,32 becomes the line symmetry.Therefore, 2 arms 623,624 can more stably be extracted

pallet

31,32 out.

In above-mentioned preferred construction, when the tray arrangement direction is observed, the engaging pawl 314,315 of pallet 31 is at the engaging pawl 324 of pallet 32, between 325.Arm 623,624 has engaging pawl 831,832,841,842 in the left and right sides.Therefore, do not need pivot arm 623,624,, promptly can engage with

pallet

31,32 through moving up at right and left.In addition, need be on left and right directions transfer arm 623,624 significantly, promptly can engage with 2 kinds of

pallets

31,32.

Other embodiment

As stated, sorter preferably passes through 2 arms at symmetrical clamped position upper support pallet, simultaneously pallet is extracted out from the receiving space of cassette.But the sorter that the present invention is suitable for and the shape of pallet can have other structure.For example sorter can utilize 1 arm to extract pallet out.The arm head of 2 arms can have the asymmetric shape in the left and right sides respectively, and they also can have different shapes in addition.Distance between left and right with reference between the pallet engaging pawl of figure 9A explanation also can be different value.

Figure 10 schematically shows the structure of utilizing 1 arm to take out pallet.It is lower to utilize 1 arm structure of taking out pallet and the situation of utilizing 2 arms to compare stability.In this structure example, the pallet 91,92 of 2 kinds of variety classes engaging claw shape is alternately arranged.Arm 93 has engaging pawl 931,932 in the left and right sides.

Pallet 91,92 has engaging pawl 911,921 respectively in front.When the tray arrangement direction was observed, engaging pawl 911 and 921 did not overlap.Arm 93 is a diverse location with the position that engages pawl 911 engagings with the position that engages pawl 921 engagings.Therefore, when arm 93 took out the target pallet, the engaging pawl of adjacent trays that can be not different with the engaging claw shape was extracted the target pallet out contiguously.

Arm 93 has engaging pawl 931,932 in both sides, because engaging pawl 931,932 takes out pallet 91,92 separately, thus can be under simple structure, be benchmark with engaging pawl 911, distance between 912, reduce the moving range of arm 93.

Figure 11 schematically shows other structure of utilizing 1 arm to take out pallet.In this structure example, the

pallet

95,96 of 2 kinds of variety classes engaging claw shape is alternately

arranged.Pallet

95,96 has engaging pawl 951,961 respectively in front.Arm 97 only has engaging pawl 971 in a side.Therefore, the projected direction of pallet engaging pawl 951,961 is identical.

When the tray arrangement direction was observed, engaging pawl 951 did not overlap with engaging pawl 961.Arm 97 is a diverse location with the position that engages pawl 951 engagings with the position that engages pawl 961 engagings.Therefore, when arm 97 took out the target pallet, the engaging pawl of adjacent trays that can be not different with the engaging claw shape was extracted the target pallet out contiguously.

Figure 12 is shown schematically in the side and has the pallet of engaging pawl and the arm of extracting this pallet out.Pallet 71 has engaging pawl 711,712 and engaging pawl 721,722 respectively with pallet 72 in the left and right side.2

arms

73,74 take out

pallet

71,72 from cassette.In cassette, the pallet of difformity kind is alternately arranged.

When the tray arrangement direction is observed, the position that the position deviation that

arm

73,74 engages with pallet 71 engages with pallet 72.Particularly, on pallet insertion/removing direction, these clamped positions stagger.Therefore, when

arm

73,74 takes out pallet, do not engage with the pawl that engages of adjacent trays.

In the structure of Figure 12,2

arms

73,74 engage respectively with pallet 71,72 (promptly with

pallet

71,72 in one engage), it is extracted out from cassette, therefore can stably extract pallet out.Because

pallet

71,72 has the holding section in its side, need the space of inserting

arm

73,74 in the cassette, perhaps the holding section of

pallet

71,72 need be positioned at outside the cassette.From this point, pallet is preferably the same with said other structure to have the holding section in front.

Arm

73,74 also can have the engaging pawl being different from the position of leading section.Have in front in the structure of engaging pawl at pallet, as stated, arm preferably has the engaging pawl at its leading section (arm head).Thus, can reduce pallet be used for engage required zone with arm.

In the structure of preamble explanation, be used in parallel moving in the face of arm behind the location that takes out pallet.The engaging pawl of arm is stably reliably engaged with the pawl that engages of pallet.But also can be the therewith different ground of sorter are shown in figure 13 when pallet takes out, and make its position change through pivot arm.For

arm

77,78,, can in face, move arm head 772,782 (engaging pawl) on the left and right directions through rotating around turning axle 771,781.

In addition, shown in figure 14 in other structure, arm head 751,752 can rotate by the axle on arm axle 753,754.For example, arm head 751,752 is by spring-loaded.During with arm head 751,752 is inserted into pallet engages position, arm head 751,752 is pushed by the part of pallet, begin to rotate from the initial position shown in the dotted line, afterwards, because of the elastic force of spring is got back to initial position.Spring has the elastic force of the extent that arm head 751,752 can not rotate when pallet is extracted out.Through this structure, the moving range of the arm in the face after can reducing to locate.

Figure 15 is the vertical view that schematically shows the pallet 35 of other structure.Pallet 35 has the engaging pawl in the both sides, front and back.The engaging claw shape of one side is identical with the engaging claw shape of pallet 31, and the engaging claw shape of opposite side is identical with the engaging claw shape of pallet 32.Through have the engaging pawl that is arranged in 2 kinds of pallets in the cassette in the both sides, front and back, can dispose pallet 35 in the optional position in cassette.

CD server device 1 only uses has the pallet identical shaped with pallet 35, perhaps uses simultaneously to have with the identical shaped pallet of pallet 31 and/or have the pallet identical shaped with pallet 32.In preferred construction, sorter 16 can change pallet in housing 10 front and back towards action.Thus, can insert pallet 35 in any idle space in cassette 12.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to above-mentioned embodiment.For each key element of above-mentioned embodiment, the those skilled in the art can easily change within the scope of the invention, append and conversion.

For example, the CD server device can use the pallet of engaging claw shape more than 3 kinds.In this structure, importantly, when the tray arrangement direction was observed, arm was different between adjacent pallet with the clamped position of pallet.Promptly importantly, the arm that engages with pallet is in from the position of the position deviation that engages with adjacent pallet.Preferably all different with the clamped position of the pallet of all shape kinds engaging, be positioned at the locational arm that engage with 1 pallet, can be on the clamped position that engages with the pallet locational, that have different engaging claw shape that is positioned at non-adjacent position.

The present invention can be applicable in the disc storehouse device that uses the memory disc different with CD.Disc storehouse device can use the disk drive that only has one function in record and the reproduction.The present invention can be applicable to the disc storehouse device that is used for any purposes.

The number and the material of component parts such as cassette, ejection drawer, CD drive, sorter do not have particular restriction.For example, can omit the ejection drawer.The travel mechanism of sorter and arm component can have and the described structure various structure of reference diagram.Typically, travel mechanism has parts such as motor, solenoid, gear.Usually, the tray arrangement direction is roughly consistent with the above-below direction (vertical) that is provided with in the environment of disc storehouse device.As long as but can be on pallet fixing CD, the tray arrangement direction also can depart from vertical significantly.

Claims

1. a disc storehouse device is characterized in that, comprising:

Carry out one or more disk drives to the visit of memory disc;

Accommodate the cassette of a plurality of memory discs that are inserted into said one or more disk drives;

Have separately and carry a plurality of pallets that the dish of putting memory disc carries the face of putting, it is arranged in the said cassette with the mode that the pallet with different engaging claw shape adjoins each other; With

Take out the sorter of the pallet of from said a plurality of pallets, selecting from said cassette, wherein,

Said sorter has when the taking-up of the pallet that carries out said selection, takes out one or more arms of the pallet of said selection from said cassette,

Said one or more arm; When the taking-up of the pallet that carries out said selection, be in separately with the pallet of said selection engage the pawl engaging and on the tray arrangement direction from the position of the position deviation that engages the pawl engaging of the adjacent pallet of the pallet of said selection.

2. disc as claimed in claim 1 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Said a plurality of pallet has the one or more engaging pawls that engage with said one or more arms separately in front.

3. disc as claimed in claim 2 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Said one or more arm, for the pallet of said selection engage the pawl engaging, each leisure is carried on the direction of the face of putting and front mobile along the dish of the pallet of said selection,

Said one or more arm, the both sides of each comfortable said mobile direction have the engaging pawl, the engaging pawl of said both sides separately with the pallet engaging of different engaging claw shape.

4. disc as claimed in claim 2 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Said one or more arm, for the pallet of said selection engage the pawl engaging, carry on the direction of the face of putting and front parallel mobile at dish along the pallet of said selection.

5. disc as claimed in claim 2 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Each comfortable leading section of said one or more arm has the engaging pawl,

Size on the said tray arrangement direction of the snap-latch surface of the engaging pawl of said arm is more than the size on the said tray arrangement direction of the snap-latch surface of the engaging pawl of said pallet.

6. disc as claimed in claim 5 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Size on the said tray arrangement direction of the snap-latch surface of the engaging pawl of said arm is in abutting connection with below 2 times of distance between pallet.

7. disc as claimed in claim 2 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Each comfortable leading section of said one or more arm has the engaging pawl,

Said one or more arm, in order to engage with the pallet of said selection, each leisure is carried along the dish of the pallet of said selection on the direction of the face of putting and front and is moved,

Size on the said mobile direction of the leading section of said arm, near interval between engaging pawl on the said mobile direction of the pallet that connects little.

8. disc as claimed in claim 1 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Said sorter uses 2 arms to take out the pallet of said selection.

9. disc as claimed in claim 8 storehouse device is characterized in that:

Said a plurality of pallet has 2 engaging pawls that engage with said 2 arms separately in front,

Said a plurality of pallet separately with said 2 positions that arm engages, be the line symmetry about the precedence centre line.

10. disc as claimed in claim 1 storehouse device is characterized in that:

At least a portion pallet in said a plurality of pallet has the engaging pawl in the both sides, front and back,

Said a part of pallet has different engaging claw shape in front and back.